By Larry Nager
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Here is May's music forecast, country-style: all-star bluegrass and free Nashville stars.

The 34th annual Appalachian Festival takes over Coney Island May 9-11, Mother's Day weekend, showcasing such all-time bluegrass greats as Larry Sparks and George Shuffler.

From May 24 to 26, Memorial Day weekend, Taste of Cincinnati once again brings in some of the fastest-rising young country stars. Hitmaker Darryl Worley, whose pro-war anthem "Have You Forgotten" has topped the country charts for most of the Iraq conflict, closes out the final night of the B105/Meijer Free Country Music Stage at the food festival.

Ten national headliners will perform on the stage over three days.

The music starts at noon May 24 with the Colgate Country Showdown talent contest. DreamWorks artist Jimmy Wayne starts the national performance at 5 p.m., followed by rising star Jessica Andrews at 7 and closer Brian McComas at 9.

May 25, it's a local act TBA at noon, Dusty Drake at 2, Amy Dalley at 4, McHayes at 6 and Wild Horses at 8.

The Memorial Day lineup is a local act TBA at noon, followed by Dierks Bentley at 2, Ohioan Brad Martin at 4 and Worley at 6.

Taste of Cincinnati has a history of introducing future country megastars. Past headliners include the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, Jo Dee Messina, Joe Diffie, Mark Chestnutt, Sara Evans and John Michael Montgomery.

Old-time sounds at Coney

The Appalachian Festival presents some of the best in bluegrass and old-time country. With the theme "Goin' Across the Mountain," AppFest celebrates the region's diverse Appalachian traditions.

Bluegrass guitar pioneer Shuffler played lead and sang bass on many of the Stanley Brothers' classics recorded for Cincinnati's King Records. He'll perform with singer/banjo player Laura Boosinger.

Lebanon native Larry Sparks, who was the first singer to work with Ralph Stanley after the 1966 death of Carter Stanley, leads his Lonesome Ramblers here.

Dale Anne Bradley, one of the leading female singers in bluegrass today, will perform with her band Coon Creek, featuring award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland.

The festival also features regional favorites like Dry Branch Fire Squad, Katie Laur Band, Wild Carrot, Ohio Valley Rounders and many more. In addition to formal concerts, AppFest presents a full schedule of music workshops.

The Appalachian Festival begins at 10 a.m. daily and runs until 10 p.m. May 9-10; 6 p.m. May 11. Admission is $7, $3 seniors, $1 children 4-11; 3 and under free. Parking, $3. Discount tickets are available at Kroger stores.

Information: www.appalachianfestival.org.